New Life For Your Old Maine Atlas

I always find it hard to depart with an old tattered, coffee stained, well worn and coming apart at the seams Maine Atlas. It represents memories of exploring new places, adventures with people dear, strangers met that left a lasting impression, and the promise of a return trip to a favorite spot. But it is my fondness for Map 16, my favorite 20 mile grid that I have always been drawn to, that is my weakness, my passion and the 1 page I enjoy paying homage to before I release it back into the world. This year, "Map 16" will take on a new life as the gift box that will hold my sister's birthday present to celebrate her return to Maine.



While I was at it, it seemed a shame to let go of any part of this dear old friend. I wonder if other Mainers struggle with getting rid of their old Gazetteers too. Something tells me they just might.

Good Clean Fun

I made a mess of the kitchen tonight. Because I needed to use the microwave and the freezer to complete my project, it was a likely place to attempt to duplicate my latest obsession with "soaprocks". At about $15 each, the likelihood of my practical side giving in to my impulse to acquire a sizable stash of them was slim to none. I would make it my quest to sort out the luxury of being able to possess enough of these tiny gems so that I would never run out. By the time I finished making my first, and to date, my "only" soaprock, I began to appreciate the simplicity of once again using my old cast iron cornbread "fish" pan to bail me out of my kitchen melt down. Soon I was pulling out candy molds, mini baking tins and even a fancy penquin ice cube tray which all served to distract me from my former soaprock obsession. I think I'm cured, for now.